This apple pecan cake with caramel glaze is a delicious apple cake recipe studded with apple chunks, chopped pecans, and warm spices, with a homemade caramel sauce that is poured over the entire cake for a symphony of irresistible flavors in every bite.
Apple cake is a dessert that I just can’t get enough of. Tender apples, crunchy pecans, and cinnamon in a tender cake? I’m always ready for another slice! The only thing that can make it better is the caramel glaze that I add to my recipe. The combination creates a caramel apple cake that’s moist, tender, and full of apple chunks, and it always goes so fast! This cake is a decadent dessert that’s easy to make, and I love to serve it for dessert or bring it to parties. There’s never an occasion that isn’t perfect for this dessert. And did I mention it was easy? Well, it bears repeating! Take one bit of this cake, and you’ll be hooked!
Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze
This delicious dessert starts with a basic apple cake recipe that uses simple ingredients to deliver all its rich flavor. A simple cake batter is mixed with chunks of apples and chopped pecans for amazing flavor and texture. I bake the cake until it’s moist and tender, then I top it with a simple caramel glaze that’s ready in just a few minutes. The entire recipe only takes a little over an hour from start to finish, and when I’m all done, I have a caramel apple delight that everyone loves.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze
- This cake features a harmonious blend of three irresistible flavors: sweet and tart apples, crunchy pecans, and a rich buttery caramel glaze.
- The homemade caramel sauce instantly elevates this cake to another level of deliciousness.
- The combination of delicious flavors is a surefire winner with the special touch of homemade, and the nostalgic appeal makes it an irresistible treat the whole family will enjoy.
Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze Ingredients
You’ll only need a few basic baking ingredients and some Granny Smith apples to make this recipe. You’ll find everything you need in your kitchen or in one quick trip to the grocery store!
- Cooking oil
- Granulated sugar
- Large eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Granny Smith apples
- Pecans
- Butter
- Light brown sugar
- Milk
How to Make Apple Pecan Cake
This cake is easy to mix and bake, taking only a few minutes and a few simple steps. Even beginners can make it with ease. There’s really nothing to it.
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, generously grease and flour a tube pan or 2 loaf pans.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
Mix the oil, sugar, and eggs in a large mixing bowl until creamy.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
Step 4: Make the Cake Batter
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well. Then, add the vanilla and mix again. Stir in the apples and pecans.
Step 5: Bake
Pour the batter into your tube pan or loaf pans and bake for 50 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If not, bake for another 10 minutes. Set the cake aside to cool while you make the glaze.
How to Make the Caramel Glaze
This glaze is even easier to make than the cake. Just mix and boil for a few minutes. That’s it!
Step 1: Make the Caramel
Melt the butter in a small pan over low heat. Then, stir in the brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil over low heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer, stirring constantly. Boil for 10 minutes while continuing to stir. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Cool.
Step 2: Top the Cake
When the glaze has cooled a bit, pour it over the top of the cake. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Stir your caramel mixture continuously while cooking to avoid scorching.
- Top the cake while both it and the sauce are still warm so the sauce can get into all its nooks and crannies.
- Chop your apples and pecans into small pieces for the best texture and ensure you get plenty of both in every bite.
- You can toss your apples and pecans in flour to keep them from settling to the bottom of the pan while baking.
Variations
- Try adding apple pie seasoning to the cake.
- Mace or allspice work well in this cake.
- Use your favorite apples. I prefer Granny Smith, but sweeter baking apples will also work.
- Make this cake in a large baking dish for apple cinnamon bars.
- For extra-rich caramel, use heavy cream in place of milk.
What to Serve with Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze
Serve this cake to the kids with a glass of milk. Grownups can enjoy it with milk or a cup of coffee or tea. It’s also delicious with a little whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream, and it makes a great classic dessert to end any meal with classic Americana dishes.
Recipe FAQ
Authentic caramel is made with heavy cream or milk, sugar, and butter.
You don’t have to refrigerate this cake. In fact, refrigerating it will dry it out.
There’s no one best cooking apple for flavor and texture. There are quite a few apples that are recommended for baking.
Granny Smith
Braeburn
Cameo
Cortland
Crispin
Empire
Fuji
When stored properly, this cake freezes well and lasts up to 3 months in the freezer.
How to Store Leftover Apple Pecan Cake
Store this cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil for up to 3 months.
Try This Delicious Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze Today
This apple pecan cake with caramel glaze might look fancy, but as you just read, it’s actually very easy to make. With all that rich caramel apple flavor, moist, tender cake, and easy preparation, this is a recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Give this cake a try, and I know you’ll make it a permanent part of your recipe rotation.
More Delicious Apple Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Here are a few more delicious apple recipes that can be found on the blog:
- Caramel Apple Pecan Cobbler
- Apple Pear Walnut Crisp
- Homemade Apple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
- Apple Pecan Scones
Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze
Ingredients
- 1½ cups cooking oil
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3½ cups Granny Smith apples, approximately 3-4 apples, peeled, chopped in small pieces
- 1 cup pecans, chopped small
Caramel Glaze
- ¾ cups butter, (1 ½ sticks)
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°
- In a large mixing bowl, add oil, sugar and eggs, mix until nice and creamy.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add to large bowl. Mix well.
- Add vanilla, mix well.
- Stir in apples and pecans.
- Pour into generously greased and floured tube pan (you can use two loaf pans in place of a tube pan).
- Bake at 325° for approximately 1 hour. Check using a tooth pick at about 50 minutes, and if it comes out clean, then your cake is done. If using the loaf pans, make sure to check it at about 50 minutes as well.
Making the glaze
- In a small pan, melt butter over low heat.
- Stir in brown sugar and milk.
- Bring to a boil over low heat, then reduce to a simmer, stirring constantly.
- Let boil for 10 minutes, continue stirring.
- Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir. Let cool.
- Once caramel glaze has cooled a bit, pour over the top of cake.
Notes
Nutrition
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Cathy
My cake is in the oven, I did not have vegetable oil so I melted enough Crisco to get the right amount. I hope it turns out okay
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Cathy, how did your cake turn out? I hope it was delicious! :)
Tyra
Hi! I plan to make this cake for Thanksgiving. I’m thinking of using butter instead of vegetable oil. Will that mess the consistency up?
Gina
I made this amazing cake last night it was so easy to make, I used honey Crisp apples that’s what I had on hand and the batter was a little dense so I just added 1/2 water to the batter. It came out super moist. One of the best cakes I’ve ever made.
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Thanks so much for sharing Gina! I’m glad you loved this cake. Honey crisp are my favorite! :)
Tonya
Is there a need to refrigerate this?
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Tonya, I usually do refrigerate my cakes if there is any left over since it seems my family usually devours them. But you can leave this one out. :)
Alice Foga
Thank you very muck
holly
Hello Terry I was wondering if this recipe could be made into a roll cake…and then topped with the caramel glaze?
Holly
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Holly, I haven’t made this cake into a roll cake but I’m sure it would work. Let me know how it turns out if you do make it. :)
Leah
The apple cake was excellent! I grated the apple instead of cutting into chunks.
The glaze however was a complete failure. I used margarine instead of butter to keep it dairy free, so perhaps that’s why it didn’t work?
But the truth is, the cake is so good, it does not need a glaze at all.
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Leah, I’m sorry that your glaze didn’t turn out. Yes, the cake is so good by itself. I LOVE this cake. If you have something you could use the glaze for, I’d make just the glaze with real butter and see if it turns out better. After it’s made, dip some apple slices in it so it doesn’t get wasted. And, make sure to use the lowest flame and stir continuously. Those are two of the things I emphasize the most! :)
Ilze
Hello!
Its very tasty, but for me the salt is too much!!
Caroline
Hello! I’m really looking forward to making this cake over the weekend, it looks delicious. By cooking oil are your referring to vegetable oil? Thank you
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Caroline, Yes vegetable oil is what I use. Sorry I’m just responding. Your message went to my spam folder! I hope you enjoy the cake! :)
Brit
Cake turned out great, but I found it was a bad idea to make the sauce ahead of time. The sugar & fat from the butter separated. I reheated it & it wasn’t the same. I may have made an error in making it?
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Brit,
It’s best to make the glaze after the cake has cooled and then just let the glaze cool a bit too! :)
Leeanne
I think it would have baked better at 350,
Gemma
Hi there! Is the oven temp in degrees Celsius or farenheit?
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Gemma, it’s Fahrenheit. :)
Pamela
I was wondering if you can use a Gluten free flour instead? Also, went apple picking and what was ready was a cross between Granny Smith and Delicious. What do you think about using those?
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Pamela, the apples will work just fine! Try the flour and let me know how it worked for you! :)
Jamie
I made this cake for my mother’s birthday. It was delicious. Thank you for a great recipe!
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Jamie, I’m glad you loved this cake! Happy Birthday to your Mom! Thanks for sharing! :)
Nia
Hello, I’m making the caramel sauce and only have dark brown sugar, is it ok to use it instead of the light?
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Nia, I’m sure it will be fine. I hope you enjoy this delicious cake! :)
Donna Wiley
I’m getting ready to make this for church tomorrow and have a quick question. I do peel the apples first, don’t I? I don’t want to mess it up!
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Donna, yes peel the apples first! I hope everyone enjoys this delicious cake! Thank you for your comment! :)
Kay B Slawson
what kind of flour do you use?
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Kay, I used all purpose flour for this cake.
Sharon
I made this cake yesterday. it is almost gone. My oldest took a piece to work and now his boss wants me to make one for their shift. LOL!
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Sharon,
That’s awesome! It’s a great tasting cake! I’m glad your family enjoyed it. Thank you so much for sharing! :)
Dorothy linton
I made this cake for Thanksgiving my family loved it, It was so delicious, my grandson ate the most and took some home with him. Love this cake myself.
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Dorothy, I am so glad that your family loved this cake! It is a delicious one, I must agree! Thank you for sharing! :)
Kimberly Brooke
Currently in the oven! Smells amazing, but we’re are 57 minutes and still coming out pretty wet. But I ended up using an angel food cake pan, so we’ll see. Thanks for the recipe!
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Kimberly, I hope you enjoy this recipe! It’s one of our favorites! Merry Christmas! :)
Kim
I have a question, this cake looks so delicious and I want to try to make it. Can I cook the apples with the cinnamon and butter to give them that soft mush texture, let it cool then add to the mix so it can have the apple taste throughout the cake? I don’t like chunky apples in a recipe.
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Kim, yes you can do that. They will definitely be on the mushy side. Let me know how it turns out. :)
Barb Laskowski
Am making this cake later today to use for Thanksgiving tomorrow. No need to peel the apples?
Thanks,
Barb
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Barb, yes I peeled the apples. I will correct that in the directions. Thank you for catching that. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! :)
Barb Laskowski
I found similar recipes and they all peeled them, so I did too. Is it better to make the glaze tomorrow, or should I do it tonight?
Thanks so much. Can’t wait to try it.
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Oh good, I glad you peeled them. Either way works, but just remember to make sure to cook over low flame and stir constantly, and cook it just as the directions say. Sometimes if the flame is too high, the glaze will get to hard. This is a delicious cake and I know you and your family will enjoy it very much! Let me know how it turns out for you, if you wouldn’t mind. :)
Barb Laskowski
It was wonderful! I think I should have taken it out just a few minutes earlier, but it was still moist. I checked it at 50 minutes and wasn’t done. Then I got distracted and it was in for the remaining 10. I’m guessing 5 minutes less would have been perfect. Thanks so much for sharing this great recipe!
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Barb, I’m glad you enjoyed this cake! It’s one of our favorites! Thank you for sharing! I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful! :)
Angie
Can I use Splenda in place of sugar?
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Angie, I haven’t used Splenda in a cake recipe. If you end up making it with Splenda, let me know how it turns out. I have used it in cookies before and they turned out great! :)
Sharon
This was delicious-even better a day later. Will make again.
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Sharon, I’m so glad you enjoyed this cake! Thanks so much for sharing! :)
Kalynn Smedley
Do you let the cake cool before pouring the sauce over it?
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Kalynn, I let the cake cool. You can do it either way.
alicia
Cake looks absolutely amazing and moist. Will be making it this week. I am wondering whether it is OK to add 2 tsp baking power as well to encourage the cake to rise more?
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Alicia, this cake is amazing just as it is. Go ahead and try it, let me know how it turns out. :)
Michael Tomney
Can I use a Bunt pan
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Michael, yes you can. Just check it periodically. It’s a great cake!!! :)
Lorna
Hi Terri, I love this cake and am just about to make it, BUT I only have Demerara sugar in the cupboard. Do you think this would be O.K?
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Lorna, I am not sure about using the Demerara sugar. It might have an effect on the flavor and how your cake turns out. Let me know how it works if you end up making it. :)
Nan
Red delicious apples ok for this recipe
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Nan, no not for this cake. I used Granny Smith apples. :)
Jerrie Denniston
Can’t wait to try this cake recipe. My mouth is watering just reading the recipe. I had one question which was what kind of apples to use. I found the answer (Granny Smith apples) when someone else asked the same question and you answered it. May I suggest that you add “Granny Smith apples” to the recipe instead of just “apples”. That might save some from using the wrong kind of apples and others like me hunting for the right kind.
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Jerrie,
Thank you for your comment. And I will make the change to the recipe to add Granny Smith apples. I hope you made this cake and it was delicious and mouth watering as you’d hoped for. Have a great day! :)
Susan
I was in a panic when I could not find this Apple Pecan cake to create for Christmas – whew – calm my heart & bless yours! Happy holiday to you & yours…. yum to the best cake ever! The last time I brought this cake to a family event – we were lucky to be able to share ONE piece! It was the hit of the party!
It is easy & great to make in advance – we transported with the Bundt pan cover right over the top of the cake & it travels very well. Thanks again.
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Susan, I’m glad you were able to find the recipe here! It is one of my favorite cakes and it’s SO delicious!! Happy Holidays to you and your family too! Enjoy! :)
Kesha
Can you use butter instead of oil
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Kesha, I haven’t made it using butter instead of oil. Let me know how it turns out if you try it. :)
Kellie Loges
Terri, Absolutely love your new blog! So excited to follow and get more yummy recipes….Kellie
Great Grub, Delicious Treats
Hi Kellie!! Thank you so much, I appreciate the support. I’ll be back to publishing new recipes as soon as I can. Thanks again my friend!